Millions of Spaniards were glued to their television sets as the annual lottery dished out £2billion in prize money.

The El Gordo draw, which dates back to 1812, marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Spain and is watched live on TV in homes, bars and workplaces across the country.

During the draw, 40 schoolchildren sing the winning numbers in a three-hour Gregorian chant at a ceremony in Madrid.

The average Spaniard this year spent £47 on tickets, despite the severe economic crisis and record unemployment. Around £50million of the state’s El Gordo takings will go to charities, including the Red Cross.